To create a space in Confluence Cloud, select Create from the top navigation bar, then Space. Choose a name, icon, purpose (Collaboration, Knowledge base or Custom) and permissions scheme, select Next, review the default features and select Create space. Your account needs the Create Space global permission to see the option.
In Confluence, a space is a container where a team creates, stores and collaborates on work for a shared project or initiative. Think of it as a shared folder with its own pages, tools and permissions. Creating one takes a minute. Choosing the right purpose and key takes a little more thought, and that's where this guide spends its time.
Check you've got permission first
If you select Create and there's no Space option, it's almost always permissions. Your account must have the Create Space global permission enabled. That's set by a Confluence admin, so ask them to switch it on before you go any further.
Six steps through the space wizard
- Select Create from the navigation bar at the top of your content, then select Space.
- Enter a name and pick an icon. For your own image, choose See more > Upload image. Both show in the sidebar.
- Select the purpose: Collaboration, Knowledge base or Custom. This sets the default features and templates.
- Select the permissions scheme, and if you want a specific key, choose Customize space key.
- Select Next and review the default features, switching any on or off.
- Select Create space. You're now the owner.
Some permissions schemes may not be available depending on your plan, so don't worry if your list looks shorter than a colleague's on another account.
Collaboration, Knowledge base or Custom?
| Purpose | What it includes | Pick it for |
|---|---|---|
| Collaboration | Live docs, whiteboards and databases, plus templates for project plans, decisions and meeting notes | Day-to-day team and project work |
| Knowledge base | Private editing before you publish, plus templates for how-to guides and troubleshooting articles | Guides your team or customers will look things up in |
| Custom | Every available feature and setting configured by hand | When neither preset fits and you know what you want |
If you're unsure, ask whether the space is for doing work or for finding answers. Doing work points to Collaboration; finding answers points to Knowledge base. The private editing in a knowledge base is the deciding feature for many teams, because half-written guides don't confuse anyone.
Pick the space key carefully, because changing it later breaks things
The space key is a short unique identifier that forms part of the space's URL. It must be unique, alphanumeric (A-Z, 0-9) and no more than 255 characters, and you can choose your own with Customize space key.
Here's why it deserves a moment's thought. Atlassian Support's Create a space article explains that app admins can edit an existing key under Space settings > Space details, but third-party apps that depend on the key then need reconfiguring, and links in pages imported from Data Center may stop working. Nothing announces the breakage. Choose a short, sensible key at creation, such as MKT for marketing, and leave it alone.
Who owns the space
The person who creates the space becomes its owner. There's only one owner at a time, and the owner can be a single user or a user group. You can change it later in Space settings > Space details > Owner. For a team space, making a user group the owner means it doesn't depend on one person staying in the job.
If Confluence isn't the right home
Notion takes a different approach: its databases are collections of pages where every item is its own page and properties can be customised. That suits teams who want structured lists of documents rather than a tree of pages. For more options, see my guides to Confluence alternatives and wiki software for teams.
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My advice for a first Confluence space
Decide the purpose before you click Create: Collaboration for working documents, Knowledge base for guides people will search. Pick a short, permanent space key, make a user group the owner rather than yourself, and check the default features on the Next screen. If you're building a help library, my roundup of knowledge base software is worth a look too.
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Frequently asked questions
Why can't I see Space under Create?
Your account needs the Create Space global permission. Ask a Confluence admin to enable it.
Which purpose should I choose?
Collaboration for working docs and whiteboards, Knowledge base for published guides, Custom to configure everything yourself.
Can I change the owner?
Yes, in Space settings > Space details > Owner. There's only one owner at a time.
What is a space key?
A short unique identifier in the space URL, alphanumeric and up to 255 characters.
Can I edit the key later?
App admins can, but third-party apps and some imported links may break.
